News and Current Projects
On the News and Current Projects page, we describe the art conservation program's year-round active care for Cambridge's public art collection. Here we feature the most recent exciting projects.
Climate Action Book Club (Collins)
Join the Collins Branch Library in collaboration with the Cambridge Climate Leaders Initiative for a monthly discussion of a climate-related topic. Each month the group will discuss a book on the topic at hand then hear about a related local program or initiative and how you can take action.
Topic: Water in a Warming World
Book: The High House by Jessie Greengrass
Meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. Copies of the book will be available at the Collins Branch during library hours.
Registration is encouraged, but not required. For more information contact Jo at jpercell@cambridgema.gov.
Wednesday Evening Weed-Out
Love Fresh Pond Reservation? Give back to our urban oasis: volunteer!
The beauty and ecological health of our Reservation requires constant care! Invasive weeds, which threaten wildlife habitat and Fresh Pond’s forests, meadows and wetlands, are a top concern. Volunteer weeding events are ongoing throughout the fall. Beginners are welcome. Learn about local botany and ecology while helping the Reservation! Long sleeves and pants are recommended to prevent contact with poison ivy. Tecnu will be available. Temporary parking permits will be available for free for volunteers coming from out of town.
Wednesday evening weeding sessions occur through September, meeting at the trailer in the Cambridge Water Department parking lot at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway.
An Introduction to "Forest Bathing" for Elders (Central)
Curious about “forest bathing” (spoiler alert: no water required) and how to experience it indoors?
Then join us for a calming and restorative indoor introduction to the practice of Forest Bathing, specially designed for people 55 and over.
Come once or join every workshop in this 6-part series to explore the concept of "Shinrin-yoku" (“forest bathing”) which is the practice of being mindful and contemplative within nature, using all your senses.
Stefanie Haug, LICSW (she/her) guides people on journeys of self-awareness and relationship with nature as a local psychotherapist, certified Mindful Outdoor Guide (Kripalu), and coach. Her career has spanned the nonprofit and corporate world with a focus on the wellbeing of humans and the more-than-human world.
Introduction to Rewilding: Mindfulness and Nature as a Path to Calm (Central)
Curious about “forest bathing” (spoiler alert: no water required) and "rewilding" yourself?
Come once or join every workshop in this 6-part series to explore the concept of "Shinrin-yoku" (“forest bathing”) which is the practice of being mindful and contemplative within nature, using all your senses. The experiential portion of the workshops will focus on our senses one at a time, workshop-by-workshop, through simple mindfulness exercises, gentle guided nature imagery, and other grounding activities that promote relaxation and (re-)connection with ourselves and with nature.
No level of physical ability or prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is necessary — just an openness to relax and explore a new way of calming and connecting.
Questions? Please email bquinlan@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4035.
Introduction to Rewilding: Mindfulness and Nature as a Path to Calm (Central)
Curious about “forest bathing” (spoiler alert: no water required) and "rewilding" yourself?
Come once or join every workshop in this 6-part series to explore the concept of "Shinrin-yoku" (“forest bathing”) which is the practice of being mindful and contemplative within nature, using all your senses. The experiential portion of the workshops will focus on our senses one at a time, workshop-by-workshop, through simple mindfulness exercises, gentle guided nature imagery, and other grounding activities that promote relaxation and (re-)connection with ourselves and with nature.
No level of physical ability or prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is necessary — just an openness to relax and explore a new way of calming and connecting.
Questions? Please email bquinlan@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4035.
Introduction to Rewilding: Mindfulness and Nature as a Path to Calm (Central)
Curious about “forest bathing” (spoiler alert: no water required) and "rewilding" yourself?
Come once or join every workshop in this 6-part series to explore the concept of "Shinrin-yoku" (“forest bathing”) which is the practice of being mindful and contemplative within nature, using all your senses. The experiential portion of the workshops will focus on our senses one at a time, workshop-by-workshop, through simple mindfulness exercises, gentle guided nature imagery, and other grounding activities that promote relaxation and (re-)connection with ourselves and with nature.
No level of physical ability or prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is necessary — just an openness to relax and explore a new way of calming and connecting.
Questions? Please email bquinlan@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4035.
Introduction to Rewilding: Mindfulness and Nature as a Path to Calm (Central)
Curious about “forest bathing” (spoiler alert: no water required) and "rewilding" yourself?
Come once or join every workshop in this 6-part series to explore the concept of "Shinrin-yoku" (“forest bathing”) which is the practice of being mindful and contemplative within nature, using all your senses. The experiential portion of the workshops will focus on our senses one at a time, workshop-by-workshop, through simple mindfulness exercises, gentle guided nature imagery, and other grounding activities that promote relaxation and (re-)connection with ourselves and with nature.
No level of physical ability or prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is necessary — just an openness to relax and explore a new way of calming and connecting.
Questions? Please email bquinlan@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4035.
Introduction to Rewilding: Mindfulness and Nature as a Path to Calm (Central)
Curious about “forest bathing” (spoiler alert: no water required) and "rewilding" yourself?
Come once or join every workshop in this 6-part series to explore the concept of "Shinrin-yoku" (“forest bathing”) which is the practice of being mindful and contemplative within nature, using all your senses. The experiential portion of the workshops will focus on our senses one at a time, workshop-by-workshop, through simple mindfulness exercises, gentle guided nature imagery, and other grounding activities that promote relaxation and (re-)connection with ourselves and with nature.
No level of physical ability or prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is necessary — just an openness to relax and explore a new way of calming and connecting.
Questions? Please email bquinlan@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4035.
CPL Nature Club - New Year's Birdwatching at Fresh Pond (O'Neill)
Start the year off right by getting to know Cambridge birds! All ages are welcome to join us as we observe birds at Fresh Pond, which provides habitat for many different species at all times of the year. This event will focus on birds that can be found in the winter in Cambridge, including several species of ducks, sparrows and more. We may also see some of our year-round resident birds, and we will discuss general birdwatching tips and learn more about the birds we share our outdoor spaces with. A limited supply of binoculars will be available. Please dress accordingly as we will be outside for the entire walk.
Registration is required for this event.
The walk will meet outside the ranger station/water department building at Fresh Pond: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G1bJGhMG17mAaFgL9
In case of inclement weather or conditions, this event will be rescheduled to Saturday, January 24th.
For more information, contact the O'Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.